The problem of cam design

Definitions

Minimal radius of the cam

Distance from A to point of contact B

f (
f ( )

Follower displacement

The problem of cam design may be formulated as follows:

Given: f(),

f() = f(2) = 0,

Find: CMIN, LMIN, and the coordinates x-y of the cam profile
such that the motion of the follower would be f()

B
L
R

C
From the figures we see that

R = C + f ( )

(1)

The parametric equations of the cam and the

minimal (half) length of the follower face

We carry equation 1 from the previous page

R = C + f ( )

(1)

From the figure we have

R = x cos + y1 sin + y2 sin

(2)

L = y1 cos + y2 cos x sin

(3)

y = y1 + y2

(4)

But

So we have from 2 and 3

( x, y )

R = x cos + y sin

(5)

L = x sin + y cos

(6)

It follows from 5 and 6 that

y2

L=

dR
d

L=

df
f
d

(7)

It thus follows that the following equation must be satisfied for all

y1
C

Design equation

Lmin = max f ( )

(8)

Substituting 1 and 7 in 5 and 6 gives

C + f = x cos + y sin

(9)

f = x sin + y cos

(10)

By solving 9 and 10 for x and y we obtain

the parametric equations of the cam

Design equations

x = (C + f ) cos f sin

(11)

y = (C + f )sin + f cos

(12)

A condition for avoiding cusp in the cam profile

If there is a point of cusp in the cam then the contact between
the cusp and the follower is not instantaneous. Therefore the
mathematical condition describing the existence of a cusp is
that for some

dx dy
=
=0
d d

(13)

By substituting 11 and 12 in 13 we find that in order to avoid

cusp in the profile of the cam the following equation must
be satisfied for all
Design equation
cusp

C + f ( ) + f ( ) > 0
for all

(14)